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Pancreatic Cancer Organoid Model
Recent studies have suggested that organoids serve as an important tool for future studies of pancreatic cancer (PC). Alfa Cytology has extensive experience in constructing models for PC, including PC cell models, PC organoids, genetically engineered mouse models, and transplantation models. Based on our advanced platforms and experienced scientists, we can establish customized, cost-effective, and stable PC organoids to meet the specific requirements of our global customers.
Overview of Organoid Models
Organoids are complex models that better summarize human diseases than cell lines or spheroids. Unlike spheroids, which are derived from cell lines, organoids are derived from primary cells. Therefore, tissue-like structures are preserved. Organoids allow not only the study of tissue function but also co-culture. However, the establishment and maintenance of organoid cultures are costly and require extensive technical training.
Fig.1 Current 3D modeling trends. (Swayden, M., et al., 2020)
Organoid models can reproduce the three-dimensional structure of tumors and can be controlled manually, overcoming the limitations of traditional models and gaining more and more attention. Organoids can be established from cell lines, tissue fragments, embryos, or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) grown in 3D culture using animal-derived ECM substitutes (such as stromal gels or collagen gels) to generate organ-like structures. To date, the models have been applied to investigate human development and disease, to mimic the tumor microenvironment (TME), and as a preclinical screening tool for drug discovery.
Our Services
To establish organoid cultures, it is necessary to simulate the homeostatic environment of normal tissue stem cells. The organoid models established from our platform can be used to explore PC tumorigenesis, tumor development, and therapeutic testing. In addition, the cells are encapsulated by a stroma that contains key components of the basement membrane and complements the essential elements for the sustainable growth of pancreatic epithelial cells. Since most PC samples have high epistasis of KRAS activation, pure tumor cultures can be obtained using selective stress conditions to extract epidermal growth factor (EGF) or add epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors.
- Cell culture condition optimization
- Normal human pancreatic tissue cultures
- Patient-derived organoids (PDO)
- Malignant human pancreatic tissue cultures
Advantages of PC Organoids
- More realistic reproduction of PC tumor tissue structure with artificial control
- Organoid has been shown to exhibit good genomic parallelism with primary PC tumors
- Organoids can be co-cultured with PC stromal cells
- Organoids can be used to create organoid-derived xenografts for PC
Applications of Our PC Organoid Model
- Investigate PC tumorigenesis, metastasis, and development
- Study the solid and interstitial components of PC
- Realistic reproduction of the corresponding patient's drug response
- Allow for targeted evaluation of genes or genetic screening
Case Study - The Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Organoid Model
- Model Introduction
Pancreatic cancer organoid models, derived from malignant ascites (peritoneal fluid) of patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and cultured under three-dimensional conditions, represent a novel and physiologically relevant in vitro model. This model can simulate tumor heterogeneity and microenvironment, providing an important in vitro model for studying the occurrence, development, and metastasis of pancreatic cancer.
- Model Information
- Model: Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Organoid Model
- Origin: Derived from malignant ascites of patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).
- Culture System: 3D Organoid Culture in Extracellular Matrix (e.g., Matrigel).
- Cancer Type: Adenocarcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC)
- Model Data
- Genetic & Phenotypic Fidelity: The model maintains the characteristic driver mutations and gene expression subtypes of the parent tumor across multiple passages, enabling personalized drug sensitivity testing.
Fig. 2 Growth status of human pancreatic cancer organoids P0-P2 derived from pleural effusion (left) and pathological image (right). (Source: Alfa Cytology)
- 3D Architecture: Self-organize into polarized, cyst-like, or glandular structures that mimic the in vivo histology of PDAC.
- Tumor Heterogeneity: Preserve the intrinsic epithelial heterogeneity and clonal diversity of the patient's tumor, allowing for the study of subpopulations with distinct biological behaviors.
- Scalability & Biobanking: Capable of expansion and cryopreservation, facilitating the creation of living organoid biobanks for high-throughput drug screening and translational research.
Fig. 3 Data on rapid tumorigenesis of pancreatic cancer organoids in mice. Data are presented as mean ± standard error (SEM). (Source: Alfa Cytology)
If you're interested in learning about our tumor models for PC, would like more information about our PC organoid services and solutions, or are interested in a potential partnership or collaboration, please contact us. We will provide a professional, competitively priced strategy that fits your needs.
References
- Miquel, Maria, Shuman Zhang, and Christian Pilarsky. "Pre-clinical Models of Metastasis in Pancreatic Cancer." Frontiers in cell and developmental biology (2021): 2825.
- Osuna de la Peña, David, et al. "Bioengineered 3D models of human pancreatic cancer recapitulate in vivo tumour biology." Nature communications 12.1 (2021): 1-15.
- Tomás-Bort, Elena, et al. "3D approaches to model the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer." Theranostics 10.11 (2020): 5074.
- Swayden, Mirna, Philippe Soubeyran, and Juan Iovanna. "Upcoming revolutionary paths in preclinical modeling of pancreatic adenocarcinoma." Frontiers in oncology 9 (2020): 1443.
